The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has recalled Dynaval Co, the popular pill that is used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions.

In a statement released on Pharma Dynamic’s website, the distributor of the tablets in South Africa, only Dynaval Co 80/12.5 mg, 160/12.5 mg, and 160/25 mg have been recalled, and not Dynaval 80 mg and 160 mg tablets.

This comes after the affected tablets were found to contain an ingredient called valsartan, which contains NDMA – a chemical known to cause liver and lung cancer.

The recall started earlier this month in Europe and USA.

According to Business Insider, approximately 12,000 people are currently using the affected tablets in South Africa and every year 140,000 containers of the pills are sold.

Pharma Dynamics CEO, Erik Roos, said the company would refund all returned Dynaval Co products and patients can return products to the pharmacy where it was originally dispensed.

However, he advised patients to consult with a healthcare professional or pharmacist and continue taking the medicine until they have a replacement medicine.